The God of Small Things

Lesson 16
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ELA

Unit 3

12th Grade

Lesson 16 of 37

Objective


Analyze and describe the author’s development of the theme of love in this chapter.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy  pp. 108 – 117

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

On p. 109 the narrator describes Love as having been “re-apportioned” in order to reveal

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Sample Response

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It can be reasonably inferred from p. 112 that Rahel is asking Chacko these questions because

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Writing Prompt

Explain how the author develops the theme of familial love in these pages. What questions does she raise and how do you think she might answer them? Use evidence from the chapter to support your answer.

Key Questions


  • Note the setting.
  • How does p. 108 contribute to our understanding of Chacko as a character?
  • What does the phrase “Rahel Alone” convey? 
  • Why does Rahel feel sad according to p. 110?
  • What does the moth signify on p. 111? What does Rahel fear here?
  • What do we learn about Chacko and Margaret Kochamma? About Sophie Mol?
  • Why does Rahel ask these questions about love of Chacko? Do you think his answers comforted her or not? Why?
  • What questions is the author raising about love? About family?
  • What is the irony in Rahel’s thoughts about “Infinnate Joy”? 
  • What is Chacko thinking about when Estha comes to the room? 
  • Describe the conflict between Chacko and Comrade Pillai as it is revealed on pp. 113–115.
  • Why does Pillai consider Velutha a “snag” in his plans? What does this reveal about tensions within the Communist party? (p. 115)
  • Why do people come to Mammachi rather than to Chacko with important matters? How does this help the reader better understand Chacko? (p. 116)
  • How does the narrator describe the twins at the end of the chapter?
  • Why does the author end the chapter with “The time was ten to two”? What does it make you wonder?

Next

Analyze the author’s use of the changes in Ayemenem to develop the theme of memory.

Lesson 17
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